Page 58 of Desperately Seeking Seduction

Winston shrugged. “She could not defend herself against the larger man. I could.”

“You certainly did. A woman, wearing a valet’s disguise,” Mrs. Crawford said, grinning. “My, my. Wherever did Cousin Stratford find you?”

“We found each other,” Winston answered, lifting her chin.

She noticed they had reached a familiar crossing in the road. To the left was the direction of the inn where she’d met Stratford. To the right was the unknown. “You can let me out here.”

“Are you sure leaving is what you really want to do?”

“That was why I came with you.”

The pair opposite exchanged a long look, and then the man nodded.

Mrs. Crawford was the one to speak, though. “We have recently made the decision to purchase an estate adjoining Ravenswood, and planned to stay the night as the last owner’s, my uncle’s, guest. I wonder if you might care to join our household for a little while?”

“Why would you want me after what I did today?”

“The offer of employment is a ruse, of course,” Mrs. Crawford promised. “I saw my cousin’s face during the fight. I’ve never seen him so panicked before. There is obviously a close bond between you. A connection that in your current guise he’d not admit to freely before others. It is not right that you should disappear from our society without speaking to him of what might be first.” She looked at her husband. “Believe me, running away never silences a yearning heart.”

“Indeed not, my love,” Mr. Crawford promised, reaching for Mrs. Crawford’s hand and kissing the back of it. “A separation satisfied neither one of us.”

Winston studied the pair, wishing she knew more of their love story. Clearly it was an interesting tale indeed.

And she did owe Stratford a goodbye, and she wanted to know that her father suffered no permanent damage, too. She glanced across at Mrs. Crawford and nodded. “I would be pleased to join you for the night, madam.”

“Please, call me Amity. What name shall I call you?”

Winston hadn’t the first idea how to respond to that question anymore.

CHAPTER 17

Aston had recognized Win. Stratford followed after the old man and his brothers, who were helping Aston back to the house. Although he looked over his shoulder, he couldn’t see Win anymore. The cook would take care of Win, and they’d discuss the consequence of what she’d just done later when they were alone.

Fighting.

Dear God, she could have been seriously hurt. Cousin George’s man was a bully and a brute, just like his employer, and Win could have been harmed if she hadn’t have moved so fast.

They entered the duke’s study via a door left open in the rush to discover what the ruckus was about. Aston had some mud smeared across his brow from where he’d hit the ground, and his face was bright red.

“Does anyone know what they were fighting about?”

“A difference of opinion,” the duke said slowly. “I should have put a stop to it.”

“Father wouldn’t have,” Jasper said. “He would have placed a wager and if his choice lost, he’d have dismissed them both.”

Aston looked up at the duke. “What will you do?”

“Dismissal for both,” Algernon promised.

“I’m not getting rid of my valet,” Stratford protested. “Did you see the murder in the other man’s eyes?” he complained. “And George was urging him on. Betting on the outcome. He’s the only one that should go. I’ve long suspected trouble between him and other household staff.”

“Seymour has said nothing about it.”

“I’m sure he’s trying to manage the problems without involving you,” Nash murmured, holding Aston’s wrist, and cautioning everyone to silence while he counted.

“How do you feel?” Stratford asked the older man.

Aston rubbed his neck. “A bit foolish now.”